Neil Irwin takes an optimist's view toward recent data that show a slowing rate of increase for the price of housing in many parts of the country: "the new data offer hints that a disastrous era for housing may be ending."
Neil Irwin analyzes recent data from the S.&P./Case-Shiller home price index, which "showed prices rose 8.1 percent in 20 major cities in the 12 months ended in June, the lowest rate of increase since 2012."
While some might see some reason for concern in the news that the housing market might be slowing, Irwin makes the point that maybe the new data is a sign that national forces will no longer have such a powerful and irrational influence on the housing market: "Home prices can’t rise faster than incomes forever. So if the trend of the last few months continues, and the rate of price increases continues to come down to earth, it will be a sign that maybe, just maybe, we’ve put this long, horrible boom-bust cycle behind us."
FULL STORY: Why a Slowdown in Housing Prices Is Great News
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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US High Speed Rail Association
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